Distribution of foreign aid delayed as Centre takes 7 days to form SOPs

Several tonnes of foreign aid in the form of oxygen generators, oxygen concentrators and ventilators has arrived in the country in the past one week but according to a report by India Today distribution of these medical supplies was delayed as the Centre took 7 days to form standing operation procedures.

The report said that while the first consignment of medical supplies arrived in India on April 25, the Health Ministry notified the guidelines for distribution of such life-saving aid after 7 days on on May 2, even as hospitals and people struggled to find oxygen.

According to the SOPs, the health ministry will remain the nodal agency was all foreign aid while the Indian Red Cross Society has been appointed as the official consignee. HLL Lifecare has been selected as the distribution manager.